{"id":686,"date":"2026-03-30T09:38:23","date_gmt":"2026-03-30T09:38:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/686\/"},"modified":"2026-03-30T09:38:23","modified_gmt":"2026-03-30T09:38:23","slug":"britains-got-talent-star-found-dead-in-tragedy-years-after-becoming-a-household-name","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/686\/","title":{"rendered":"Britain’s Got Talent star found dead in tragedy years after becoming a household name"},"content":{"rendered":"

Britain’s Got Talent star Martyn Crofts, who became known as The Pan Man, has been found dead in a tragedy years after he found fame on the ITV competition series<\/p>\n

21:40, 28 Mar 2026Updated 15:41, 29 Mar 2026<\/p>\n

\"Martyn<\/p>\n

Britain’s Got Talent star Martyn Crofts, who became known as The Pan Man, has been found dead in a tragedy years after he found fame(Image: ITV)<\/p>\n

A coroner has concluded an inquest into the tragic death of a “lovely and funny” Britain’s Got Talent<\/a> star. Martyn Crofts auditioned for the hit programme in 2012, where he performed for judges Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon and David Walliams<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The TV star went on to become known as The Pan Man to viewers of the competition, and made it <\/a>through to the semi-final stages, where he showcased his as a rapping Dalek impersonator.<\/p>\n

Martyn was found in Whinny Gill Reservoir in Skipton<\/a>, North Yorkshire, in December 2024 at the age of 55. He had been reported missing the day before. An inquest concluded earlier this week.<\/p>\n

The official record of inquest stated that he had died by the time his body was recovered, Senior North Yorkshire Coroner Jon Heath recorded a conclusion of suicide. The TV star had lived in Skipton with his wife Deborah at the time of his death.<\/p>\n

READ MORE: BGT’s Jonathan Antoine reveals suicide hell, breakdown and horror health battle<\/a>READ MORE: Britain’s Got Talent fans divided as comedian wins Golden Buzzer<\/a>\"BGT\"<\/p>\n

Martyn became known as The Pan Man(Image: ITV)<\/p>\n

\"BGT\"<\/p>\n

Martyn made it to the semi-finals<\/p>\n

Martyn failed to make it through to the final on the programme, which was eventually won by dancing dog duo Ashley & Pudsey with singers Jonathan and Charlotte<\/a> in second place, but he still went on to have a career in showbiz, and noted on his website that he had performed all around the world<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Tributes poured in for Martyn, with one person writing on social media: “A beautiful man who would always find time to chat. Very funny too.” Another said: “Really saddened by tonight\u2019s update from North Yorkshire Police<\/a>. A real character who put Skipton on the map on Britain\u2019s Got Talent and loved entertaining people.”<\/p>\n

Another noted that the loss would be felt by a “huge amount of people” and applauded Martyn for putting the town on the map with his TV and showbiz career.<\/p>\n

Ensure our latest headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source. Click here to activate<\/a> or add us as your Preferred Source in your Google search settings.<\/p>\n

When news of the tragedy first unfolded just days before Christmas<\/a>, fans were also quick to pay tribute then. One user who was a friend of Martyn’s posted a heartfelt tribute on Facebook<\/a>. In it, they reminisced on their time together as entertainers.<\/p>\n

The heartbreaking post read: “RIP\u2026 He loved Skipton And he did a great Dalek impression. You may know him as ‘The Pan Man’ from Britain’s Got Talent, but Martyn Crofts was our friend.<\/p>\n

“Sadly, he was found in Skipton reservoir today, after going missing yesterday. He will be a miss. Rest in peace my friend.”<\/p>\n

\"Alesha<\/p>\n

Martyn impressed judges Alesha Dixon, David Walliams, Amanda Holden and Simon Cowell in 2012 (Image: PA)<\/p>\n

Another user wrote: “Martyn Crofts where do I begin, you were a light in everyone\u2019s life! You were the soul and party in Fleece!! From a local lad working at SBS to being \u2018Pan man\u2019 and getting all the way to the semi-finals!!<\/p>\n

“If someone were to ask me how I would describe you, the phrase ‘You light up the room with your smile. And illuminate the world with your heart’ comes to mind, a lot of people know you from being on BGT, but to me and everyone else in Skipton you\u2019ll always be Martyn Crofts, rest easy up there mate!!”<\/p>\n

Martyn had described himself as ‘the only professional dalek impersonator on this planet when he auditioned for BGT. At the time of his audition he was a mortgage underwriter.<\/p>\n

While Alesha and Amanda loved his act, Simon Cowell<\/a> labelled it “arguably the most stupid act I’ve ever seen on this show”.<\/p>\n

Despite the negative remarks by Simon, Martyn’s act saw him in demand. He also won Search for a Star and had recently been singing at residential homes, DJ’ing at clubs and pubs and hosting karaoke contests across the UK.<\/p>\n

*If you’re struggling and need to talk, the Samaritans operate a free helpline open 24\/7 on 116 123. Alternatively, you can email jo@samaritans.org or visit their site to find your local branch<\/p>\n

Follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok<\/a>, Snapchat<\/a>, Instagram<\/a>, Twitter<\/a>, Facebook<\/a>, YouTube<\/a> and Threads<\/a>.<\/p>\n